Chambers & Partners 2021: Continued accolades for Burnetts Solicitors

Burnetts has consolidated its position as Cumbria’s leading law firm in the latest edition of Chambers & Partners, one of the leading industry bibles for the legal profession.

Thirteen lawyers from Burnetts have been recognised by the prestigious legal guide as amongst the best in the North, with the firm recommended for its expertise in eight practice areas including agriculture and rural affairs, banking and finance, corporate law, real estate, clinical negligence, personal injury, family law and private wealth law.

Highlights

Helen Hayward, a partner in the firm’s commercial property team is a recognised practitioner, with the team retaining its North West ranking. Helen received individual praise for her experience in portfolio management, with clients noting her “ability to always bring fresh ideas to the table”.

Burnetts’ corporate team has retained its status as the highest ranked team in the region, a tier above any other Cumbrian firm in the North West rankings, and is described as a “key player” and “an excellent team that is easy to collaborate with”.

Head of corporate Vaughan Jones is praised for his significant experience in corporate transactions, whilst M&A expert Michael Walby is described by clients as being “excellent and very knowledgeable, with a strong reputation" and "a joy to work with”.

Burnetts’ wills, trusts and probate team is recognised in Band One of Chambers’ “High Net Worth” rankings, and described as the “go-to solicitors in our area”. Head of the team Rachael Stephenson is described as “superb" and “brilliant at helping clients to understand principles and why things need to be done, without making it overcomplicated".

Agriculture partners Richard Miller and Joanne McKenzie are recognised for their expertise. Richard Miller is now the only agriculture and rural affairs lawyer with a Band One ranking in Cumbria, and is highly praised for “going above and beyond to help serve his clients”.

Burnetts also continues its Band One ranking in Cumbria for its specialisms in family law and personal injury. Partner Simon Mortimer (family) was also top-ranked as a Band One lawyer, and is described as “gentle, patient and totally understanding”. Personal injury associate Paul Brown is described as having “remarkable knowledge in the field of major brain injuries”.

Banking Partner Sarah Willshire was recognised as “up and coming”, whilst Diane Barnes (agriculture), Michelle Armstrong and Hannah Fitzpatrick (both clinical negligence) were each recognised as “associates to watch”.

Comment

Burnetts’ Managing Partner Nick Gutteridge commented “Following on from our recent success in the Legal 500 rankings, it is fantastic to see Chambers & Partners again recognising so many of our individual lawyers and teams, including those lawyers who continue to rise through our ranks. Recognition by Chambers is a real accolade, and it reinforces that our lawyers are all leaders in their various specialisms. We continue to be extremely grateful to our clients who take the time to support us in the Chambers’ research process”.

Chambers and Partners produces an annual guide to the UK legal sector which ranks both lawyers and law firms based on the research of 150 full-time editors and researchers. Further information on Chambers and full details of rankings can be found here.